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Excellent

#28 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 6% of private schools

The Montessori School

Middle School

750 HOWARD ST, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 13 schools in Kalamazoo. Learn more

Enrollment

45

Student-Teacher

6:1

Score

8.2

Grades

1st – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Kalamazoo

#3 of 12

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#2 of 14

About The Montessori School

The Montessori School serves grades 1-6 with just 45 students in Kalamazoo, Michigan, creating an intimate learning environment with an exceptional 6:1 student-teacher ratio. This small regular public middle school employs 8 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly individualized attention that supports the Montessori educational philosophy. The school has earned a strong 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #203 out of 460 schools statewide, placing it in the 56th percentile among Michigan schools.

This solid performance reflects the benefits of small class sizes and personalized instruction that comes with the school's intimate scale. Families considering The Montessori School will find it situated in a well-educated community where 56% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood maintains a median household income of $64,963 and median home values around $196,800, indicating a stable middle-class environment.

While the area does have a 15.1% poverty rate, the strong educational attainment levels suggest a community that values learning and academic achievement. Located on Howard Street in this small city setting, The Montessori School offers families seeking alternative educational approaches a public option that combines Montessori principles with the accessibility of public education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 45 students, The Montessori School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, The Montessori School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The Montessori School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2020 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$20,287
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$12,925
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.64x — At Risk
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
100%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$284,931

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 45 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Montessori School compares to 36 public schools serving similar grades in Kalamazoo, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
This School
vs
17:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
45
This School
vs
342
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.2
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 64.4% vs 0%
Asian 24.4% vs 0%
Black 4.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.4% vs 0%
The Montessori School Kalamazoo Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
The Montessori School (this school) 8.2
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts 6.9
ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School 5.8
El Sol Elementary 3.3
Washington Writers Academy 6.7
Winchell Elementary School 6.5
Edison Academy 4.5
Paramount Charter Academy 3.3
Woods Lake ElementaryA Magnet Center For The Arts 5.8
Woodward Elementary 7.3
Milwood Elementary School 5.6
Lincoln International Studies School 5.4
Arcadia Elementary School 5.8
Greenwood Elementary School 9.2
Milwood Magnet School 5.5
Hillside Middle School 6.5
Northglade Montessori School 7.3
KingWestwood Elementary School 7.8
Linden Grove Middle School 6.3
Youth Center School 7.9
Valley Center School

Showing 20 of 36 schools. View all schools in Kalamazoo

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,470
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 52%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 45
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 64.4%
Asian 24.4%
Black 4.4%
Hispanic 4.4%
Two or More 2.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

750 HOWARD ST, Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Montessori School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is KAZOO SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GAGIE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 0.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Kalamazoo, see our Kalamazoo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S CENTER Kalamazoo 0.1 mi
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts Kalamazoo 0.2 mi 6.9
Kalamazoo Covenant Academy Kalamazoo 0.3 mi 6.7
Phoenix Alternative High School Kalamazoo 0.4 mi 7.5
Transition Services Kalamazoo 0.4 mi
El Sol Elementary Kalamazoo 0.7 mi 3.3
ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School Kalamazoo 0.6 mi 5.8
KAZOO SCHOOL Kalamazoo 0.6 mi 8.2
GAGIE SCHOOL Kalamazoo 0.8 mi 7.8
Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo 1.2 mi 6.5
ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kalamazoo 1.2 mi 6.7
Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo 1.4 mi 3.3
KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Kalamazoo 1.1 mi 5.7
Woodward Elementary Kalamazoo 1.5 mi 7.3
Washington Writers Academy Kalamazoo 1.2 mi 6.7
Woods Lake ElementaryA Magnet Center For The Arts Kalamazoo 1.5 mi 5.8
Winchell Elementary School Kalamazoo 1.3 mi 6.5
Edison Academy Kalamazoo 1.3 mi 4.5
Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo 1.9 mi 5.4
HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo 2.0 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49008 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,339

Median Home Value

$202,400

Median Rent

$1,005/mo

Population

16,488

College Educated

54.8%

Homeownership

65.3%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

33.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Montessori School has a median household income of $67,339. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,400, with a median rent of $1,005/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ashley Middle School Ashley, MI 8.5
Blandford School Grand Rapids, MI 7.8
Fourth Street Learning Center Jackson, MI 8.6
John Ball Park Zoo School Grand Rapids, MI 7.0
PCCS Middle Virtual Academy Plymouth, MI 9.4
Center for Economicology Grand Rapids, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Montessori School

What grades does The Montessori School serve?

The Montessori School serves students in grades 1st through 6th.

How many students attend The Montessori School?

The Montessori School has an enrollment of approximately 45 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Montessori School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Montessori School is 6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Montessori School rank in MI?

The Montessori School is ranked #28 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is The Montessori School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Montessori School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is The Montessori School a private school?

Yes, The Montessori School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Montessori School a religious school?

No, The Montessori School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
57 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,785/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalamazoo). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 6th
Enrollment
45
Gender Split
56% M / 44% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
210 days
Setting
Small City
County
KALAMAZOO
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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